We are saddened to share the news that Lift For Life Academy lost a dear friend, passionate advocate
and board member recently with the passing of John Mann.

John served on the board of directors at Lift For Life Academy & Gym for over 10 years, 5 of which he
served as board president.

In 2007, the Academy’s principal, Katrice Noble, and executive director, Marshall Cohen, spoke to
John about the disappointment of getting our middle school students caught up academically, only to
send them back to lower performing high schools. John led the charge to make our solution a reality:
expanding Lift For Life Academy into a high school.

John’s vision and tireless devotion to our school has had a direct impact on many families in our
community. His spirit will always be a part of this school, and its success is ultimately our best tribute to
him. He will be dearly missed.

John, who was 45 years old, was diagnosed with brain cancer nearly two years ago. Survivors include his
wife, Bonnie Mann, and two young daughters, Julia and Abigail.

The latest thefts occurred Monday night at Lift For Life Academy on South Broadway in the Kosciusko neighborhood east of Soulard. Executive Director Marshall Cohen said his school can’t continue to suffer the losses. He fears insurance cancellation and high insurance rates as a result of the replacements.

He said in early August a thief stole an air conditioning unit that cost $13,000 to replace. They learned they had been hit when the system only blew out hot air.

“It was real hot and we turned on the system and it wasn’t putting anything out,” he said.

He questioned the logic of scrap dealers in buying copper that may be stolen.

“Don’t these scrap dealers see this is brand new copper when it comes in?” he said. “They’ve got to do something.”

He said police met with business owners last week to discuss the nationwide problem. He said police are working hard to find the thieves, who may also be responsible for similar thefts from nearby businesses.

The charter school has a roster of 575 students with limited resources. While the school has insurance, Cohen said anyone who wants to donate to the non-profit school can mail a check to Lift For Life Academy, 1731 South Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63104.

We couldn’t be more proud! To keep up with the latest in this high school teacher’s adventure, check out Project Runway on Lifetime at 8pm or find out more about Laura Kathleen at her designer page
http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway/season-9/designers/laura-kathleen.

Kathleen and her students at Lift For Life Academy

Kathleen’s design winner on Project Runway

Katherine Rueter and students get ready to zip line through the rain forest

show, it’s just some of the activities that four of Lift For Life Academy students experienced on their trip to Costa Rica.

This trip was designed to take the students out of their comfort zone and did it ever! As Atiyah Reed, a junior, stated, “This was my first time for everything. My first time on a plane and my first time out of the country. When it was time to get on the plane, it felt surreal.”  The students spent six days in Costa Rica with their Spanish teacher, Katherine Rueckert. Their trip started in San Jose, took them to LaFortuna in the Arenal region, and ended near the Playa Hermosa beach in the Guanacaste Region.

While they traveled, they began to grow. As Katherine Rueckert stated “ the girls started asking about where they could go that wasn’t just for tourism, they wanted to know if they could come back here for college and they were upset that they weren’t fluid in the language.”

The students were growing in ways that they couldn’t have done in the classroom. Not only did they gain a taste for travel and adventure, they learned life lessons. Alexandra Luster, also a junior, explained that during their horseback riding trip up the side of the volcano, she fell off her horse but got up and tried again. She had learned the most important lesson for traveler’s everywhere, “Even if things don’t go as planned, you can still have fun.”

The students also experienced the world in a new and different light. As Atiyah stated “Costa Rica is so colorful it instantly makes you happy. Being able to experience new and different cultures is so exciting and after staying in Costa Rica for 6 days, you get so accustomed to it, you’ll NEVER want to leave.”

For our part, at least, we’re happy to have them back.

Lift for Life Academy will be bringing in 85 fresh new faces to our school and we can never wait to meet them all, which is why we do a 6th grade transition. Every year, we bring in our new students for 4-5 weeks in the summer to get to know them. We spend the days learning about who they are, what they have to say and where they are academically. It’s a chance for us to get a jump start on the school year.

Over the years what we’ve learned is that 6th grade can be one of the most challenging years for our students. Students come to us from all over the St. Louis City area and for a number of reasons. Some come from private schools because parents can’t afford the tuition anymore, some come from other charter schools because they haven’t gotten the right fit and still others come looking for a better academic experience. The reality for many of our students when they first enter Lift For Life Academy is that they are testing below their grade level academically. Our 6th grade transition is a chance to get a jump start on the catching up that these students will have to do in the next three years to be ready for high school.

Katrice Noble, Lift For Life Academy Principal, once interviewed some of our students to see what it was that stalled them in their educational experience. Thinking she was going to receive vague answers about lack of motivation, she was astounded to hear students speak about specific teachers and specific moments in their past that convinced them it just wasn’t going to get any better. That trying wasn’t worth it.

It’s taking the time to talk to the students, to delve into what’s holding them back that makes Lift For Life Academy rise above the rest. This year, we’re going even further by creating a 6th grade center that will allow our teachers to focus additional energy on our incoming class. Class size will be smaller for this grade level, with 15-16 students per teacher and students will have a 5 core rotation that will allow for 2 communication arts classes and 2 math classes. We will also have a literacy aid dedicated solely to this grade level. We know that having more resources means making even more gains during this first year.

So, while we can’t believe it’s coming up so soon, we’re ready, we’re dedicated, and we can’t wait for the school year to begin!

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP volunteers

BY ELISA CROUCH • ecrouch@post-dispatch.com > 314-340-8119STLtoday.com |

st. louis • The world history class at Lift for Life Academy sat at rapt attention Wednesday as former Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke firsthand about the very subject they were studying: China.

General Powell talking to a high school history class

Dear Lift For Life Academy Supporter:

“Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.”

This quote by 17th century Japanese poet, Matuso Basho, serves as a good reminder as we reflect and approach a new year.  Lift For Life Academy’s journey began in 2000 with 60 middle school students.  Today, we are over 500 children strong and look forward to becoming a full middle and high school ini Fall 2011.

Our faculty forges ahead on this journey each day to help inner-city children by creating an atmosphere where students thrive.  For many, Lift For Life Academy is a refuge, a safe place, where the staff and fellow students are like family.  Read on for two personal messages that exemplify the results made possible by your support.

Mrs. Owens and Linda

The other day I told my Honors Geometry class how lucky I was to hang out with them every day because they’re like family.  That’s what Lift For Life is for most teachers and students– it’s a family.

I watch kids who before didn’t care about their education now dream about college.  They even call me just a week into summer break to say they want to come back.  They feel like they belond here, they are at their best here, and they miss their Lift For Life family.

It is a hard job.  I go home exhausted, but it feels like important work.  It feels like I make a difference.    -Alison Owens, Teacher

I started at Lift For Life Academy as a 6th grader.  Since then, I continue to learn new ideas and even more about myself.  I can’t picture being at another school.  At Lift For Life Academy, everyone supports each other.

Teachers like Ms. Owens spend one-on-one time helping us and influence me to work hard.  I was “Ms. Salutatorian” of my 8th grade graduating class.  This honor showed me the rewards for keeping good grades.  Lift For Life Academy provides me with opportunities I couldn’t imagine receiving anywhere else.

I love Lift For Life Academy because Mrs. Noble and the teachers make us proud to be here.  We are like family.  I don’t want to leave, but my dream is to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C. because I want to be a pediatrician.

Thanks to Lift For Life Academy, I have a lot more confidences, and I hold my head high at all times.  The teachers believe in me and help me to do my best.  I believe I will be successful.                                          -Linda Davis, 11th Grade Student

During this season, talk of family and believing are common.  We are proud Lift For Life Academy’s unique apporach keeps the spirit of both alive year round.  And with your support, we’ll help our children realize where their potential can and will take them.

Thank you for considering how you can create a journey of possibilities by donating to Lift For Life Academy.  You can make the difference.

Most sincerely,

Marshall Cohen

Founder and Executive Director

Project Runway 8 contestant Michael Drummond with LFLA students

During the fall semester, Lift For Life Academy high school students visited two fashion designers at their Washington Avenue studio lofts. One designer was Project Runway Season 8 contestant, Michael Drummond. Drummond taught students about his fashion specialty– woven garments. The students saw his weaving machines as well as the type of fabrics he prefers to use. However, Drummond wasn’t able to show off his Project Runway fashions, as those were auctioned off in New York. Teacher Elizabeth Wagner says the visit helped students understand the education Drummond went through to reach this point in his life.

Designer Melissa Rae Brown with LFLA students

The second designer the students interacted with was Melissa Rae Brown, a vintage fashion designer. She informed students about her unique technique of restyling or taking apart clothing and making them into new garments. She introduced the students to her new collections titled, “Cupcake Collection,” full of frilly and puffy dresses and skirts. Mrs. Wagner said, “The students not only had the opportunity to learn and view haute couture, but they were also able to see how both designers live. It was an invaluable experience the students will never forget.”

Catchers from both teams working together.

Lift For Life Academy’s Assistant Coach, Elizabeth Eisele, introduced the idea of practicing with Webster University to Lift For Life’s Head Coach Ryan Enata and he jumped on board immediately.  “This is only the second year of the program and it’s such a great opportunity for our girls to learn from some college players,” said Coach Enata.

Coach Eisele knows Webster’s softball team well because she played there from 2006-2008.  “Softball has been a part of my life for so long and it’s great to teach the game to the next generation.  Hopefully this trip to Webster inspired them to continue to play this game and love it just as much as I do,” explained Coach Eisele.

Last year Webster University’s softball team finished as the regular season St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champions with a 14-2 conference record (24-13 overall).  The 2011 season sees the Gorloks first traveling to Mississippi for a tournament and they will see their first home action on Saturday, March 12, against DePauw University at 1pm.

In their second year of the program, Lift For Life Academy’s softball team won their first game against Brentwood High School.  Next year the team will return all of its players from the 2010 season and look to expand on the leadership of their new seniors.

LFLA girls warm-up

Lift For Life Academy is St. Louis City’s first independent charter school founded in 2000.  Currently the school serves grades 6-11 with the plan to expand to 12^th grade for the 2011-2012 school year.  Lift For Life Academy’s mission is to offer all St. Louis City students the opportunity to succeed academically and socially in a supportive, enriching environment that promotes life-long learners.

WU practices infields drills